By McCoy Cummings

Early Life

Muhammad was born in 570 CE and died 632 CE. He is the prophet of Islam. From historical perspective, he was a religious, political, and social reformer who founded the religion of Islam. In the Arabian city of Mecca, where he was born, Muhammad was orphaned at an early age. He was raised under the care of his uncle Abu Talib. He would often seclude himself in a mountain cave named Hira for several nights of prayer.

The Visit and Preaching

At age 40, Muhammad reported being visited by Gabriel in the cave, where he received his first revelation from God. Three years later, in 610, Muhammad started preaching these revelations publicly, proclaiming that "God is One", that complete "surrender" to him is the right course of action.

The Journey

Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina (known as Yathrib 200mi) in the year 622.

Military Leader

The Meccans did not take Muhammad's new success lightly. Muhammad gathered an army of 10,000 Muslim converts and marched through on the city of Mecca. Muhammad seized the city with little bloodshed.

Quran

The Quran was revealed by the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad in the West Arabian towns Mecca and Medina.

In 632, a few months after returning from the Pilgrimage, he fell ill and died. Before his death, most of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam. Muhammad is the founder of the religion of Islam. He is accepted by Muslims throughout the world as the last of the prophets of God.